Cafe - Hwitae

[32]

     "I think we should break up."

     Hwiyoung looked down at the ground, at his stupid shoes. Taeyang was still holding his hands. The older boy's breath hitched. Hwiyoung's headache continued to worsen by the second, the intense silence not helping at all.

     "Punch me in the face." Taeyang said suddenly. He squeezed Hwiyoung's hands a little causing him to look up. "Do it. Just nail me right in the nose."

     "Taeyang, what are you-" 

     "Do it! Hit me, scream at me, something!" His voice was getting louder and louder.

     "Stop, people are looking."

     "I don't care! Do something!" When Hwiyoung continued to stand there, Taeyang felt his own eyes water. He went quiet again. "Please, something. Just not this."

     "It's for the best." Hwiyoung said. He could see tears begin to slip out of the older's eyes. He wanted so badly to wipe them away. To run his finger over the other's cheeks. To hug him and tell him everything was going to be okay. He wanted to so badly, but he knew he couldn't. His head wouldn't let him. 

     There was another long silence.

     "For who?" Taeyang asked. "It's for the best? For who then? Me? Because I certainly don't want this. For you? Is it really?"

     Hwiyoung said nothing and looked back down. He felt Taeyang's grip loosen. He was almost scared for the boy to let go. He wasn't sure if he could support himself. He could very well pass out. He blinked, willing the throbbing pain in his head to go away. He knew even if it dissipated a little, he would feel the effects all day. He opened his mouth to say something but got choked up. He finally spit something out.

     "I'm sorry." 

     "Is this because of the date? Because I missed it?" Taeyang asked. Hwiyoung only shook his head. "Then what?" 

     "I-I-I'm sorry. I'm s-s-so sorry." Hwiyoung struggled to get the words out. He wasn't crying anymore, but his cheeks were still wet. Taeyang let the younger's hands go and stepped back. He wiped his eyes, and turned to walk into the building. Hwiyoung began to shake. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and texted his mother before beginning to walk back in the direction of his home

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Rowoonieee
Hey, are you alright?

NotHwitaek
yeah im just a little sick

Rowoonieee
I'm sorry to hear that. I'll get you any work from today

NotHwitaek
thanks

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     The boys had filed into the cafeteria and were all seated at the table. Taeyang had his hands over his eyes and his head on the table. The space across from him was empty. Everyone looked at the vacant spot and then to their sunshine. Dawon, being the loving mother he is, was the first to question it.

     "Taeyangie? Yangie? Sunshine?" When they boy didn't move, he received a hit to the head. "Hey, get up. What's going on? Where's Hwi?"

     He lifted his head quickly. 

     "I don't know. Maybe he's at another table." He layed his head back down.

     "He told me he was sick. I texted him this morning." Chani spoke up to them. Taeyang shifted uncomfortably. Dawon turned back to him.